Stephen Carl Boelter

Stephen Carl Boelter, age 61, died peacefully in the loving arms of his wife on July 10, 2009 in Madison, WI.

Stephen was a wayfinding expert. He designed his journey through cancer deliberately, deftly and with elegance that was his signature style.

In his profession, his philanthropy and his life, he found joy in helping others find their way.

Trained as an interior designer, including interior architecture, he became a national leader in wayfinding techniques that would help people navigate more intuitively through large institutional environments like healthcare organizations, academic settings and corporate campuses.

He incorporated his design sense in living and workplace environments that provided a combination of efficiency, enlightenment and aesthetic pleasure for his clients.

He and his wife Karen Combs maintained residences in Wisconsin and Colorado. In 1999, they moved to Grand Junction, CO where they especially enjoyed hiking, biking and skiing. 

Stephen’s passion was music. That passion led him to be involved as First Vice President of the Grand Junction Symphony and as a board member of KAFM Radio.  Mesa State College Wind Symphony and the Grand Junction Symphony were outlets for his clarinet performance.

Together Stephen and Karen initiated a young musician’s festival at Mesa State College where high school age musicians from all over Colorado would gather to perform with guest conductors, performers and composers.  Each year Stephen and Karen commissioned a new piece of music that is given its world premiere by Mesa State Wind Symphony.  Recently a similar program was initiated at Stephen’s alma mater, the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater with their support.

Born February 29, 1948 in Milwaukee, Stephen grew up in Wauwatosa, graduating from West High School.

Following his BBA from UW – Whitewater in 1970 and architectural studies at UW – Milwaukee, he established Boelter Design Group in 1982 in Milwaukee to provide residential and commercial design services.  In 1990 he moved his firm to Madison and later received an MS (in interior environments) from the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. 

Stephen was a Master Mason member of Wauwatosa Lodge #264 F&AM and received his 32nd Degree in the Valley of Milwaukee AASR.

Unitarian Universalist congregations in the respective communities have been the beneficiary of his involvement as well. Stephen served as a delegate representing several western states in the organization.

Survivors include his wife Karen Combs, his mother Esther Boelter of Elm Grove, WI and brothers Fred (Chicago, IL) and Karl (Dunkirk, NY).  He was preceded in death by his father Carl Boelter. 

A memorial service will take place at the First Unitarian Society in Madison on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 6 pm.  A service in Grand Junction is planned for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to HospiceCare Foundation Inc. in Madison or St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation in Grand Junction, Colorado.